Project ENGAGE Research Project Specialist

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS

26928BR

Bureau of Child Research


Position Overview

Researchers at the University of Kansas (KU), in collaboration with Arizona State University and University of Michigan – Flint have partnered together to conduct a four-year project, Project ENGAGE: Enhancing Student Engagement to Facilitate Learning and Well-being, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences. The project began July 2022.

This project aims to (1) analyze existing data to determine how internalizing and externalizing behavior patterns, as well referrals for special education eligibility, may have shifted over time with the pandemic, and (2) test Recognize. Relax. Record (RRR), an intervention aimed at improving outcomes for students with and at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). RRR is designed to reduce symptoms of anxiety, increase engagement, maximize learning recovery and improve academic outcomes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are in immediate need of actionable and focused research-based strategies to support students’ academic, behavior, and social development. One particularly vulnerable population is students with or at risk for EBD, particularly those with elevated internalizing behavior patterns. Given the educational complexities and personal trauma experienced during the pandemic era, many students are expected to exhibit elevated levels of internalizing issues (such as anxiety), which may impede learning. At the same time, teachers are striving to maximize student engagement to facilitate learning and well-being. This project aims to better understand the impact of the pandemic on students’ social and emotional needs and provide schools with an intervention to address the expected rise in students with internalizing behavior challenges.

To evaluate the impact the pandemic has had on the internalizing behavior patterns of elementary students (Aim 1), the research team will analyze extant and new K-5 data from school districts with diverse student populations. A series of single case design (SCD) studies followed by a randomized controlled trail (RCT) will be used to better understanding implementation and efficacy of RRR to decrease symptoms of anxiety and increase engagement in students with and at risk for EBD (Aim 2).

We are seeking to expand our team. Project Engage is supported by the Life Span Institute. The Life Span Institute is one of 10 free-standing designated research institutes at the University of Kansas (KU). The Life Span Institute, which serves the biobehavioral and educational research communities at KU, is currently the largest external funding support of any research center on the Lawrence campus. The success of the Life Span Institute is a reflection of the KU’s long-time strengths in research on human development, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and intervention. This commitment spans many academic units, a number of clinical and research settings, and three campuses of the University. The Institute is named for Richard Schiefelbusch, the founding director of the Bureau of Child Research. The Bureau was renamed the Life Span Institute in 1990 under director Stephen Schroeder, and the institute is currently directed by John Colombo.

The Life Span Institute brings together over 100 scientists who are affiliated with 20 academic departments, or who have research appointments with the institute. These investigators are supported by 165 staff members, and the external projects associated with the institute fund 85-100 graduate research assistants every year. The Institute has two affiliated multidisciplinary graduate/doctoral programs, as well as several post-doctoral training programs.


Job Description

Assists research team with implementing grant-related activities under direction of project Principal Investigators. Duties include a range of activities to support day-to-day grant management. Primary duties focus on the implementation and evaluation of a newly developed intervention (Tier 2) within third-, fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms in schools implementing Comprehensive, Integrated, Three-Tiered (Ci3T) models of prevention in one district in Kansas. Work directly in-person supporting teachers with implementation in Years 2 and 3 and working directly with teachers, families, students to collect information.

Job Duties:

  • 60% - Participates in the implementation and evaluation of a newly developed Tier 2 intervention with third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students, which includes driving to and spending time in participating schools.
  • 20% - Participates in ongoing data collection and data management activities.
  • 5% - Supports revision of professional learning resources such as infographics, videos, and PowerPoint presentations for research projects.
  • 5% - Contributes to dissemination activities and products to (e.g., scientific papers, presentations, and posters for project dissemination).
  • 10% - Other duties as assigned to support project objectives.

Position Requirements


Travel to and from school-site for intervention implementation 4-5 days per week during the school year (including coaching) and data collection activities approximately 3-4 days a week (approximately radius up to 70 miles from University of Kansas, with mileage being reimbursed) will be required for this position. When we are not in schools or in the office at KU, this team works in a remote environment across multiple time zones using zoom as virtual office. Out-of-state travel is not required.

  • Must have fingerprint clearance within 2 weeks of employment.
  • Must have transportation available to and from participating schools.
  • The completion and maintaining of CiTi training is required for this position. Completion of this training must be completed within two weeks of employment.

    • Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's OR high school diploma/GED and 3 years of related experience.
  • Demonstrated experiences in K-12 schools as evidenced by application materials.
  • Demonstrated experience with data entry and reliability procedures as evidenced by application materials.
  • Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite as evidenced by application materials (e.g., experience using spreadsheets).
  • Demonstrated experience in collaborating, incorporating feedback, and communicating well with others in a fast‐paced work environment as evidenced by application materials.
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills as evidenced by application materials.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills as evidenced in application materials and interview.
  • Experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and meeting project deadlines as evidenced by application materials.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of Ci3T tiered models as evidenced by application materials.
  • Experience with providing instruction to students as evidenced by application materials
  • Serving as a faculty or Ci3T Leadership Team member in a school or district implementing Ci3T.
  • Experience collecting data (e.g., student level data)
  • Experience planning and providing school-based professional learning activities.
  • Experience working successfully with a team.
  • Experience with coordinating professional learning events or other events requiring interfacing with multiple individuals and competing schedules.

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Kathleen Lynne Lane, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CF-L2
    Department of Special Education
    [email protected]


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    A complete application includes an online application, current resume or CV, a detailed Cover Letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met, and contact information for three professional references. Only complete applications will be considered.

    Review of applications will begin on Monday, January 22, 2024, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is received and position is filled.

    #LI-HR1


    Advertised Salary Range

    $45,000 - $50,000; commensurate with experience


    Application Review Begins

    22-Jan-2024


    Anticipated Start Date

    15-Jun-2024


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    Monday - Friday, 40 hours/week

    75% travel to local schools


    Conditions of Employment

    Contingent on Funding


    Work Location Assignment

    Hybrid


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.


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